Biatain Silicone, which is available both in normal and lite versions, is a multilayered soft silicone adhesive foam dressing which can be used on a wide range of exuding wounds for moist wound healing and exudate management.
Pressure ulcers result in pain and poor quality of life for patients as well as being regarded as an indicator of poor practice for nurses and healthcare organisations. Similarly, prevention of pressure ulcers is preferable to treatment, which can be expensive. This article considers the latest guidance on the prevention of pressure ulcers and looks at some of the innovations such as pressure relieving devices and the use of dressing products, which nurses can use to provide holistic care. Finally, the author reiterates that despite the use of guidelines and innovative products, the nurse must also rely on their clinical judgement.
Wound care forms a major part of any community nurse’s workload and with more acute patients being discharged earlier from hospital, as well as an ever-growing case-load of long-term conditions, it is more important than ever that nurses are confident in assessing and care-planning effective wound care. As ever, accurate assessment of the patient and the wound is the starting point and will help nurses choose the most effective treatment, resulting in improved patient outcomes and reduced costs. Poor wound care can lead to delayed healing, increased infection and inappropriate use of wound dressings, all of which impact on patients’ quality of life. In this article, the author outlines five main steps to consider in providing evidence-based, effective wound care.
Sylvie Hampton gives an overview of wound bacteria and their effect on wound healing
Sylvie Hampton MA BSc (Hons) DpSN RGN Tissue Viability ConsultantEastbourne
Article accepted for publication: August 2007
